Speedy Mentors       2 yrs ago

There are numerous programming languages today that can make it quite challenging to identify which one to focus on. However, if you are contemplating to start learning one to improve your career prospects, consider looking into Python. It is a great language that has a variety of applications in the development field, not to mention an easy syntax and readability that makes it easy to comprehend. Here is how to learn Python and gain mastery in using it quickly.

Making sense of Python

Before we jump right into the topic of how to learn Python, it is a good idea to understand what it is all about. Basically, Python is a high-level programming language designed by Guido van Rossum, and was first launched in 1991. Following a design philosophy that focuses on readability, it allows for straightforward writing of applications as well as maintenance and updates of source code. As a result of this simplicity, Python has become one of the go-to programming languages for web development, software development, database system scripting, data handling, and rapid prototyping.  

Aside from its simplicity and readability, there are a number of other reasons that make Python worth learning. 

• Compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Raspberry Pi, Linux, etc.

• Supports multiple programming paradigms, including object-oriented programming and structured programming, making it ideal to use for developing complex software applications.

• Enables developers to write programs using fewer lines compared to other programming languages.

• Easily executable as it runs on an interpreter system.

• Comes with a robust standard library, enabling users to add varied functions to a Python application without additional coding requirements.

• As an open source programming language, Python allows for the use of a diverse range of open source frameworks, libraries, and tools for development. This helps reduce the amount of time and money spent on developing applications.

• Considering how widely used Python is, learning how to program with it opens up a lot of career opportunities in prominent industries, including retail banking, insurance, finance, business services, aerospace, healthcare, infotech, and development.

Tips to Learn and Master Python Quickly

Knowing what Python is and what you can do it, chances are, you are all the more excited to learn this programming language. To help you out, here are some useful tips we have put together to accelerate your learning and to enable you to put this rewarding skill to use quickly.

Find the right resources. If you are learning Python from scratch, it is crucial that you find the right resources to guide you on your journey. There are a number of online institutes that offer comprehensive Python certification programs designed to provide you complete insight into the programming language. However, it can be a challenge to sort through all the available programs to find the right one for you. 

To narrow down your search and arrive at an informed choice, consider these three things: 

• Your learning style. Do you prefer watching videos or do you want to simply read the modules? Do you learn best on your own or do you want to have an instructor guiding you?

• The amount of time you can commit to learning. Majority of online programs do not have deadlines to complete, while others work like regular classes, requiring you to submit output at a specific time. Taking this into consideration, you need to know if you can do a course full time or if you can only do it during your free time.

• The amount money you are willing to invest. If you will be paying for a program, figure out your budget. The last thing you want is to pay a hefty price for a single program when there could be several, smaller programs that you can take to get the same quality of learning and information.

Start with small exercises and progress by coding daily. It is best to put the concepts you have learned into practice for you to better understand how they work. You can find a variety of beginner Python exercises online, and many of them are offered for free. 

Once you get the hang of using Python through the exercises you have completed, do not be complacent. Keep in mind that Python has one of the highest percentages of new learners and users, with over 30% of developers having less than 2 years of experience in using the program. This means competition for jobs is high, making practicing critical to increase your chances of success. So, practice coding as often as you can to develop your skills, become faster at coding, and keep up with the latest trends.

Join other learners. Although coding is usually a solo activity, it is best learned with the help of a community. There are a number of platforms online where you can join a development team, and these platforms are sometimes the best places to learn Python because there are like-minded people who are willing to answer questions and provide guidance and advice to new learners.

Surrounding yourself with other learners at the start of your journey will provide you a great source of focus for navigating the ups and downs of the coding process. Also, the more you are exposed to different Python concepts and the more opportunities you have to test those concepts with other people, the more those concepts become normal to you and the easier they are to do. 

Find yourself a Python mentor. Perhaps the best way to learn Python is to find a mentor who is seasoned at it. Having an expert on your side could offer insights into the challenges and demands of being a Python developer, and can also offer suggestions on the resources you can further use for your learning. Some Python mentors would even go the extra mile to give you coding tasks or help you with a personal project. 

Put it simply, a mentor can help you move forward in learning Python and even help open doors that would be most beneficial to your professional development and career. If you are ready to jump right into a mentoring program, Speedy Mentors is a great place where you can find seasoned Python mentors who can help get your learning started.